Chapter five

Kael stood by the window, arms crossed, eyes locked towards the left wings. The moon was high, full, and cold just like the emptiness in his eyes.

He closed the window, heading towards a painting that hung across the wall of his room. He trailed his hands round the painting, slowly, as if to feel every part of the painting.

"Mine." He whispered, placing a soft kiss on the painting.

It was a portrait painting of Aria.

"She is mine" he muttered.

His Beta, Tharren stood nearby, watching in silence.

"Tharren! I hurt her, now i plan to make it up to her." Kael said, voice low and tight. He continued to shower the painting with kisses. "I rejected her, but now I will do anything to claim her back.

"Did her bonding with Alpha Cain make you realize that you want her."

"Cain stole from me." Kael said, turning sharply, "She is just a wolfless omega, I had thought then that the moon goddess made a huge mistake by giving her to me, but seeing Cain claim her, made me realize it wasn't a mistake."

Tharren frowned. "She belongs to Cain now. The moon goddess gave her to him, after you crushed her.

Kael stepped closer and in a whisper, "I crushed her, and I will be the one to strengthen her, not Cain. I’m taking her back. I don’t care if they’re bound now.

"And Luna Aria?" Tharren asked. "What if she doesn’t want to come? What is she doesn't want you?"

Kael’s eyes darkened. "Then I’ll make her. I will definitely make her crave all of me, I don't mind going extra miles for that.

He leaned closer to Tharren, placing a hand on his shoulder

"She was mine first… and I always get what’s mine."

*********

Cain stood under the shade of a tree, his arms crossed, his gaze soft as he spoke with Maida a visiting childhood friend.

"It so good to see you, Cain." she whispered, biting her lower lips. "I must say, you grown more handsome, being an Alpha looks good on you."

Cain smiled. "oh my thank you."

She moved closer, too close that it felt as if she did enter him. He stared at her, but she just smiled.

Just then, Aria who had been looking for him for a while, saw him and heading toward them with calm steps. But the moment her eyes landed on how close they stood, she boiled in mad jealousy.

Her jaw clenched and with hastened steps she got to them.

Without a word, she walked right between them, using her shoulder to brush Maida away. She inserted herself into the space, Maida had once been, locking her hands to Cain's.

Maida stumbled a little, looking so startled. Cain’s brows lifted, but he didn't say anything.

Aria didn’t look at Cain. She stood there, straight and tall, pulling him closer, her eyes telling Maida that he is mine.

Maida adjusted her posture, confusion flashing in her eyes. She glared hard at Aria, who returned it effortlessly and unrelenting.

Cain simply watched with a cunning smile playing on his lips.

The silence was heavy until Aria broke it, releasing a sweet smile.

"I'm Aria. Cain's mate." she smiled. "Woman to woman, going after another person's mate to do, is an undignified thing to do."

Cain chuckled under his breath.

Maida looked at Cain for help but he didn't say anything.

~~~~~~~~~

Aria walked through the path behind the warriors’ hall, still a little flushed from her bold move with Maida. The cool breeze helped steady her breath. She wasn’t sure where she was going– just walking. Cain had a meeting, so she was left alone.

And Maida? She left angrily.

A small yelp broke her thoughts.

She turned quickly and saw a little girl sitting on the ground, brushing dirt off her scraped knee. Her wooden toy lay beside her, broken in two.

She sniffled, trying not to cry.

Without thinking, Aria knelt beside him. "Hey little one." she said softly, helping her up. "That looks like a tough fall."

She nodded, lower lip trembling. "My toy is broken."

Aria smiled, "You shouldn't cry over that. What's your name?"

"Hayami." the girl looked up at her, her eyes wide. "You’re the Luna, right?"

Aria placed her hand on her chest, "you know me?"

Hayami nodded cutely, "I want to be like you when I grow up."

Aria blinked. "That's a beautiful dream, but you know what? Luna's are strong and they don't cry over little things."

"Are you strong?" Hayami blinked.

"Do you want me to show you how strong I am?" Aria whispered lifting her up.

Hayami soft laughter filled the surroundings.

~~~~~~~~~~

Aria stepped out of the bathroom, her hair soaking wet as she had just finished having her bath. She cladded herself in a soft red gown.

Her thought went back to Hayami and she laughed.

Lynn walked in with a small towel. "Sit, let me dry your hair."

Aria gave a small nod and sat in front of her friend. Lynn moved behind her, gently towel-drying her hair in soft circles.

Then suddenly, Aria's wrist began to itch.

She frowned, lifting her left arm slowly. "It inches." she whispered.

As she rubbed it lightly, a faint glow appeared on her skin. Slowly, a wolf mark came into view- its eyes soft but wild, its body curled like a protective symbol.

Lynn gasped, grabbing her wrist as she stared at the faded mark. "Aria…"

Aria glanced at her . "What… do you recognize it?"

"It's a wolf awakening mark." Lynn muttered. "But, only those with powerful bloodline get the mark."

Aria's eyes widened.

*********

Kael stook fast strides towards the Left wing of New moon pack, with the hope of seeing Aria.

"Alpha, you can't do this. You can't covet another Alpha's mate." Beta Tharren said, standing in his way with the hope of stopping him.

"Get out." Kael snarled, pushing him away.

"Alpha-" Tharren called and sighed. "It's hopeless."

--

"Aria," Kael called, upon seeing her.

She was just on her way to see Cain at the courtyard when she unknowingly bumped into her ex mate.

She frown, "What are you doing here? Cain is not around." she demanded.

"I'm here to see you." he muttered.

She raised a brow.

"I want you back Aria. I made a mistake and I regret it."

"To late EX - MATE." she spelled out. "I'm on my way to see my mate, please excuse me."

She made to leave, but Kael grabbed her hand.

"Aria-

At that moment, her eyes glowed, her body reacted in a way she couldn't understand. She felt her moving resurfacing from within her, it stirred- like it wanted to burst out.

Kael kept talking but she wasn't hearing anything, as he felt heat erupt from within her, her head spinning.

Just when she thought she was going to shift, her wolf pulled back forcefully, going back into it hiding place. Aria yelped in pain and fell- fell into Kael's arm.

One word escaped her mouth. "Mate!"

At that moment, Cain walked into the scene, hearing what Aria had said before she passed out.